anch house.

He was still far away, but the eyes of Frank Haywood were very keen.
Besides, he knew the "style" of every cowboy who was in the employ of
his father, and was able to pick them out almost as far as he could see
them.

"You're away off there, Bob," he remarked quietly.

"Then it isn't the half-breed?" asked his chum.

"I know the way that chap sits in the saddle," came the reply. "Only one
man on the pay roll of Circle Ranch holds himself that way. It's Pete."

"Pete Rawlings, the fellow who went with Abajo to round up the missing
cattle?" asked Bob.

"He's the one," Frank went on. "And from the fact that he rides alone, I
take it he's bringing news."

"Of the seven head of cattle that have disappeared, you mean, Frank?"

"Perhaps. They may have found them, and Abajo is standing by, while
Pete comes in to make some sort of report. There's that rustler bunch
that comes from the other side of the Gila river once in a while, under
Pedro Mendoza, you remember. But he'll soon be on deck, and then we'll
know. Come along, Bob, and we'll let dad hear that Pete is sighted.
He'll be interested some, I reckon."

A short time later the single rider threw himself from his saddle after
the usual impetuous manner of cowboys in general.

"Back again, Pete; and did you see anything of that seven head?" asked
Colonel Haywood, who had come outside.

"Ain't run across hair nor hide of 'em, Colonel," replied the squatty
cattleman, as he "waddled" up to the spot where the little group awaited
his coming; for like many of his kind, Pete was decidedly bow-legged,
possibly from riding a horse all his life; and his walk somewhat
resembled that of a sailor ashore after a long cruise.

"Where did you leave Abajo?" asked Frank, unable to restrain his
curiosity.

"Didn't leave him," replied the other, with a grin. "He gave me the
merry ha! ha! and said as how he reckoned he'd had enough of the old
Circle. Got his month's pay yesterday, you see, an' he's even. I
reckoned somethin' was in the wind when I seen him talkin' with that
feller."

"Who was that, Pete?" questioned Colonel Haywood; and the prompt answer
made Frank and Bob exchange significant looks, for it seemed to voice
their worst fears.

"A gent as you had avisitin' here some time back, Colonel. Reckon as how
he don't feel any too warm toward you, accordin' to the way he used to
bring them black brows of his'n down, when he thought you wa'n't
lookin'. And hi